MY INTRODUCTION TO A HIVE 
*9 
objective, and it would have been better if I had 
rolled up my sleeves. The stings would at least have 
been more distributed! No wonder I remember 
that middy blouse, for I found that wrists are particu¬ 
larly sensitive to stings; there seems to be a multi¬ 
plicity of nerves in that region, and the veins are 
close to the surface. The dark stockings also re¬ 
ceived their share of attention. My hands, wrists, 
and ankles were soon covered with stings and I was 
forced to close the cover of the first hive before I had 
taken out more than one of the eight combs. I 
retreated on the point of tears, with swollen hands 
and a discouraged spirit, vowing never to go near 
the bees again. 
However, the saying “Once a beekeeper, always 
a beekeeper,” proved true in my case, for in a few 
days I was again at work, this time well protected 
and able, with the aid of a hammer and chisel, to 
inspect the hives thoroughly and regain my proper 
self-respect. 
